And the good news is that the young NewGen brigade, led by Marios Schwab, are providing the answer.

At Meadham Kirchhoff, deconstruction - a big comeback trend - layering and flimsy fullness all worked together to illustrate a new, modern body-silhouette, where the figure was merely glimpsed and the feet were encased in black patent lace-ups, courtesy of Topshop.

Occasionally, a natural linen blazer, piped and striped in black lace, was added to the mix, or a pair of skinny trousers, with 'star' openings at the backs of the knees. Small bolero-jackets, with zips and drawstrings, created another dimension in terms of body-focus.

The double and triple-layer skirts became even more distressed and deconstructed with the addition of panels of dark navy spot chiffon and black mesh. The Meadham-Kirchhoff approach worked beautifully for evening, with an orange sequinned, short-sleeved tunic, over a black chiffon long skirt, decorated with black velvet bows, which was layered atop a cream chiffon skirt. And, yes - it was still those fantastic black patent lace-ups. Another hole in the spike-heel platform coffin!